Tyler Lyons

Lyons picked up eight mostly-spot starts for the Cardinals in 2015 while throwing 60 innings and making 17 total appearances. The 27-year-old lefty posted a solid 3.75 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while striking...

Lyons bounced around between three different levels for the Cardinals in 2014, pitching mostly in Triple-A with a single game in Double-A and 11 appearances (four starts) for the Cardinals. The 26-year-old lefty posted average numbers again but the Cardinals like his versatility, using him in spot starts and also in long- and short-relief stints. This setup is unlikely to change in 2015, meaning his fantasy value is probably slim-to-none, and almost always uncertain. He'll have no trouble sticking around with the Cardinals as he tries to grow into a consistent MLB starting pitcher, however unlikely that may be, as the Cardinals are happy to continue using him as the swiss army knife of their bullpen.

2014

In his first season in the big leagues, Lyons posted a 4.75 ERA and struggled both as a starter and reliever while bouncing between Triple-A and the majors. He's still just 26 and his xFIP (3.84) suggests that he pitched better than his initial numbers indicate, but he's likely to serve as organizational depth for the Cardinals in 2014 probably working in long relief out of the bullpen. The Cardinals will likely have three pitchers ahead of Lyons competing for the fifth spot in their rotation, so Lyons would need some injuries and excellent pitching to make his way into the rotation.